Flush cut saw

Abstract

This invention relates generally to power tools, particularly to a portable, multifunction saw and uses thereof (e.g., for household, commercial (e.g., for use in window removal and replacement) and medical (e.g. for bone cutting) applications), and more particularly to a multifunctional saw with a protective blade guard configured to cover the entire blade.

We claim: 
     
       1. A saw assembly, comprising: an electric motor subassembly, a spindle, a flanged hub, a blade, and a retractable fully enclosing blade guard-guide subassembly; wherein:
 a) said electric motor subassembly having a motor adapted to produce rotational movement about a first axis of rotation; and wherein said electric motor subassembly comprises a momentary contact switch comprising a variable speed throttling switch; 
 b) said spindle is rotatably powered by said electric motor for rotation about a second axis of rotation that is perpendicular to said first axis of rotation; 
 c) said flanged hub comprises a section protruding from said hub a dimension equal to the thickness of said blade so as to be flush with said blade when said flanged hub and said blade are joined; 
 d) said blade comprises a cutout for attachment to said flanged hub and a plurality of countersunk holes for receiving a plurality of countersunk screws, mounted on said spindle, wherein said spindle comprises a plurality of threaded spindle holes for receiving said plurality of screws, wherein said flanged hub attaches to and drives said blade, and wherein the means for attaching said blade to said flanged hub do not extend beyond the thickness of said blade; and 
 e) in the absence of a cutting surface or surface attached to said cutting surface said guard-guide subassembly fully encloses said blade, said blade guard-guide subassembly comprising a top main guard-guide slidably mounted on said electric motor subassembly and a bottom guard-guide plate fixed to said top main guard-guide assembly. 
 
     
     
       2. The saw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said blade has teeth that extend to an outer circumference of said blade. 
     
     
       3. The saw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said blade guard-guide subassembly fully encloses said blade until said blade guard-guide subassembly operably contacts a surface. 
     
     
       4. The saw assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said operable contact comprises physical contact between a surface and said guard-guide subassembly such that said blade guard-guide moves into a retracted position, wherein the amount of retraction directly correlates with the amount of pressure asserted against said guard-guide subassembly by said surface. 
     
     
       5. The saw assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the maximal amount of retraction of said guard-guide subassembly is dependent upon an adjustable stop setting or regulator setting. 
     
     
       6. The saw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said retractable, fully enclosing blade guard-guide subassembly is spring-loaded. 
     
     
       7. The saw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said blade guard-guide subassembly comprises a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloy, plastic, a plastic compound, metal, or a metal alloy. 
     
     
       8. The saw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said bottom guard-guide plate is fixed to said top main guard-guide via screws. 
     
     
       9. The saw assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle. 
     
     
       10. The saw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the outer diameter of the circular blade is less than 5 inches. 
     
     
       11. The saw of  claim 1 , wherein said blade is mounted on a spacer. 
     
     
       12. The saw of  claim 1 , wherein said section protruding from said hub comprises an oval shape.